Most of week eight was pretty boring. At the beginning of week 9 I got to go on a little field trip out to another one of our fly-away sites. The site is on a really small base very similar to Husaybah, the site out west. The people at this site live and work in the same location. There are two people there at all times, but there is enough room to sleep seven. We had nine people staying in the room. We did what is called ‘hot’ racking to make due.
The building that the site is in is halfway built with metal bars still sticking out of the cement. The brick work is about the worst I have ever seen. All this gives it a very unique atmosphere. Then there is the actual living/work space. My best parallel would be the bat cave. There was one working florescent tube light in the sealed off cavernous room. Paired with the blinking lights from the electronic equipment, it had a very unique feel to it to say the least.
I was able to take part in my first semi-philosophical discussion since arriving in country. The two soldiers stationed in the bat cave were very intellectually inclined and made for some good conversation. I wasn’t able to follow along with everything, but threw in my two cents when I could. I was refreshing to hear someone look critically at the current US strategy in Iraq. While no solution was forth coming from the discussions, it was still neat to mull over various aspects of the war.
I convoyed out and back to the bat cave. The trip out was at night, so I didn’t get to see too much, except the dogs barking and chasing the vehicles. The ride home was during the day and provided a very unique glimpse into Iraq. The route back had the most visible sign of war that I have seen so far. There were several buildings completely collapsed. Every building that was standing looked like there had been a fire fight in it. Bullet holes riddled about everything in sight. Occasionally you would get a glimpse of a person here and there. It is hard to imagine wanting to continue to live near something so disturbing. I wish I could live in their shoes for a day so I could know what is really like. Maybe it was just more shocking to me and is just a natural part of life in Iraq now.
Two months down ten more to go.
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4 comments:
Are you kidding me? You can't leave us with a cliffhanger like that! What is 'hot' racking, Dust Monkey? It doesn't sound fun. :)
I'm really enjoying your perspectives and descriptions of the places you are seeing in Iraq. Thanks, Brian!
Talk to you soon!
Brian
We are glad that you are doing okay and hopefully staying safe over there. Your blog is very interesting to read. We have put together a package of chocolate chip cookies for you and will put it in the mail on monday 3/26/07. Hopefully it will get to you in a month or so. We tried to wrap it tightly and double bag the cookies so that they will stay fresh. I know how it is to be away from home and loved ones. When I was in Viet Nam, a letter from home ment a lot to me. I'm sure that it is the same for you. At least now you have the internet and email to speed things along. I feel guilty that I haven't written anything to you. My lame excuse is that I have been very busy with school and homework. However, you should know that we are thinking of you all the time. We want you home where you belong. So sock all that money you're making away so that you don't have to go over there ever again!
Love
Uncle Bob and Betty
I say AMEN, listen to uncle Bob!
I say this every week but we miss you terribly around here. I can't imagine commuting to work through a war zone...
Stay safe.
j
P.S. There's a new church member that's dying to meet you ;).
j
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